Game System, Server, Gaming Machine

ABSTRACT

A new gaming environment is provided. A server obtains a payout rate from each of gaming machines, determines winning probability of bonus in each of the gaming machines based on the obtained payout rate, and sends the determined winning probability of bonus to each gaming machine. Also, a gaming machine determines whether or not the bonus is won based on the received winning probability. If the bonus is won, a predetermined number of gaming medium is provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/075139 filed on Jun. 24, 2008, theentire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One or more aspects of the invention relate to a game system, a server,and a gaming machine in which a winning probability of bonus in eachgaming machine is determined based on the payout rate of each gamingmachine.

2. Description of Related Art

There are slot machines in which bonus occurs in a predeterminedcondition to enhance an entertainment aspects. Also, a probability ofoccurrence of the bonus is controlled based on the bet number in some ofthe conventional slot machines. Also, to attract players, a game system,and a server, and a gaming machine which has new feature is anticipated.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, one or more aspects of the invention relate toa game system, a server, a gaming machine, a gaming method thereof, acomputer readable medium having computer-executable instructions or thelike in which a new gaming environment is provided.

A game system according to one or more aspects of the inventioncomprises gaming machines and a server connected to the plural gamingmachines. The server obtains a payout rate from one of the gamingmachines, determines a winning probability of a bonus in the one of thegaming machines based on the obtained payout rate, and sends thedetermined winning probability of the bonus to the one of the gamingmachines. The gaming machine determines whether or not the bonus is wonbased on the received winning probability of the bonus, and provides apredetermined number of gaming medium when the bonus is won.

Herewith, since the winning probability of bonus is determined based onthe payout rate in each gaming machine, the entertainment character maybe enhanced, and may attract more players.

A server according to one or more aspects of the invention is connectedto the gaming machines. The server obtains a payout rate from one of thegaming machines, determines a winning probability of a bonus in the oneof the gaming machines based on the obtained payout rate, and sends thedetermined winning probability of the bonus to the one of the gamingmachines.

Herewith, since the winning probability of bonus is determined based onthe payout rate in each gaming machine, the entertainment character maybe enhanced, and may attract more players.

A gaming machine according to one or more aspects of the invention isconnected to a server. The gaming machine sends a payout rate, receivesa winning probability of a bonus, determines whether or not the bonus iswon based on the received winning probability of the bonus, and providesa predetermined number of gaming medium when the bonus is won.

Herewith, since the winning probability of bonus is determined based onthe payout rate in each gaming machine, the entertainment character maybe enhanced, and may attract more players.

One or more of the above aspects of the disclosure is more fullydescribed in the following detailed description when read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood,however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and notintended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantagesand principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a server base process in accordance with one ormore aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structure view of a game system in accordance withone or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the game system in accordancewith one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a slot machine in accordancewith one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal constitutionof the game system in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal constitutionof the slot machine in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the internalconstitution of the slot machine in accordance with one or more aspectsof the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a main control process of the game system inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a winning probability renewing process of thegame system in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a main game process of the game system inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of a first table in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of a second table in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the first table in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the server base process in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view of the second table in accordance withone or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of the first table in accordance with oneor more aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various aspects summarized previously may be embodied in variousforms. The following description shows by way of illustration of variouscombinations and configurations in which the aspects may be practiced.It is understood that the described aspects and/or embodiments aremerely examples, and that other aspects and/or embodiments may beutilized and structural and functional modifications may be made,without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between items in thefollowing description. It is noted that these connections in generaland, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that thisspecification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

A gaming machine, a server, and a game system according to one or moreaspects of the invention will be described in detail with reference tothe drawings based on an embodiment embodying one or more aspects of theinvention. However, it is appreciated that one or more aspects of theinvention may be embodied in distributable (via CD and the like) ordownloadable software games, console games, and the like. In thisregard, the slot machine may be a virtual slot machine that is displayedon a multi-purpose computer and/or dedicated kiosk. Aspects of theinvention are described by way of hardware elements. However, it isappreciated that these elements may also be software modules that areexecutable in a computer. The software modules may be stored on acomputer readable medium, including but not limited to a USB drive, CD,DVD, computer-readable memory, tape, diskette, floppy disk, and thelike. For instance, aspects of the invention may be embodied in aJAVA-based application or the like that runs in a processor orprocessors. Further, the terms “CPU”, “processor”, and “controller” areinclusive by nature, including at least one of hardware, software, orfirmware. These terms may include a portion of a processing unit in acomputer (for instance, in multiple core processing units), multiplecores, a functional processor (as running virtually on at least one ofprocessor or server, which may be local or remote). Further, innetwork-based gaming systems, the processor may include only a localprocessor, only a remote server, or a combination of a local processorand a remote server.

It is contemplated that one or more aspects of the invention may beimplemented as computer executable instructions on a computer readablemedium such as a non-volatile memory, a magnetic or optical disc.Further, one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented with acarrier signal in the form of, for instance, an audio-frequency,radio-frequency, or optical carrier wave.

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, the first embodiment embodying one or more aspects of theinvention will be described with reference to the drawings. Also,winning probability of bonus may mean a probability of occurrence of thebonus.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in server 91, when payoutrate information is received from any of the slot machines (S31: YES), afirst table is renewed (S32). And, winning probability information issent to the slot machine 1 which sent the payout rate information basedon content of the renewed first table, (S33).

A schematic structure of a game system 100 according to the embodimentwill be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is aschematic structure view of the game system 100 according to theembodiment. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the game system100 according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game system 100 according to the embodimentincludes plural slot machines 1, a server 91 and a large-size display95. The plural slot machines 1, a server 91 and a large-size display 95are arranged in the game hall. Each of the slot machines 1 is connectedto the server 91 via the net work 400 so as to be capable ofcommunicating with each other. Also a large-size display 95 is connectedto the server 91. Here, different types of slot machine 1 (namely slotmachines with different reels, winning combinations, winning probabilityand the like) can be connected to the server 91.

As shown in FIG. 3, the large-size display 95 is provided above theplural slot machines 1. The large-size display 95 is a well-knownlarge-size liquid crystal display, and displays a variety of gaminginformation in the game system 100 (for example, rules of the game, gameresult of each slot machine 1 and the like).

Next, the slot machine 1 which constructs the game system 100 accordingto the embodiment will be explained in detail with reference with thedrawing. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 1according to the embodiment.

The slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is an upright type slotmachine which is provided in the game hall such as the casino. The slotmachine 1 includes a cabinet 2, a main door 3, and a topper effectdevice 4. The main door 3 is arranged in front of the cabinet 2. Thetopper effect 4 is arranged above the cabinet 2.

The cabinet 2 is a housing portion which houses the electric or themechanic components for executing the predetermined gaming modes in theslot machine 1.

The slot machine 1 includes an upper display 10A, a main display 10B anda lower back panel 10C at the front side of the cabinet 2 to displayvarious gaming information. The upper display 10A is arranged on theupper column of the cabinet 2, the main display 10B is arranged on themiddle column of the cabinet 2 and the lower back panel 10C is arrangedon the lower column of the cabinet 2.

The upper display 10A is constructed from the liquid crystal panel. Theeffect images, the payout table in the game, the game rules and the likeare displayed on the upper display 10A.

The main display 10B is constructed from the liquid crystal panel.Plural reel display portions, for example, are displayed on the maindisplay 10B. The variable display and the stop display of the symbolrows are displayed on each of the reel display portions. For example,three symbols are displayed on the reel display portion. In other words,symbols are displayed in a 3×5 matrix shape on the main display 10B. Thenumber of the reels and the number of the display symbols on each reeldisplay portion are variable.

A touch panel 18 is arranged on the front side of the liquid crystalpanel on the main display 10B. A player can input various instructionsby operating the touch panel 18. Also a payout number display portion 19and a credit number display portion 20 are provided on the main display10B. The display position of the payout number display portion 19 andthe credit number display portion 20 are arbitrary. For example, thepayout number display portion 19 and the credit number display portion20 may be arranged on the right lower portion of the main display 10B.Also a bet number display portion which displays the bet number may alsobe provided. The payout number provided to the player may be displayedon the payout number display portion 19. And the credit number which ispresently owned by the player is displayed on the credit number displayportion 20.

The upper display 10A and the main display 10B, for example, areconstructed from the liquid crystal panel As described above, however,this disclosure is not limited to the liquid crystal panel. In otherwords, either display portion may also be the CRT display, the plasmadisplay, the LED display, and the other well-known display device.

The lower back panel 10C is arranged on the lower column of the cabinet2, and is constructed from a plastic panel. The drawings of thecharacters relating to the gaming machine, the name of the gamingmachine and the like are displayed on the lower back panel 10C, and arelighted by the back lights. The lower back panel 10C may also be theliquid crystal panel, the CRT display, the plasma display, the LEDdisplay, and the other well-known display device.

Further, the main display 10B may also be configured as a hybrid typewhich is constructed from a mechanical reel and a transparent liquidcrystal display device arranged in front of the mechanical reel. As aresult, the symbols displayed on the mechanical reel may be visible viathe transparent liquid crystal display device. Display windows whichequals to the number of the mechanical reel are arranged on thetransparent liquid crystal display device, so that the symbols displayedon the mechanical reel may be visible via the display windows. The slotmachine using video reels will be mainly described in the belowdescription, however, the invention may also be applied to the slotmachines using the mechanical reels as much as possible. When mechanicalreels are used, the rotation or the stop of the mechanical reels iscontrolled by a motor which is not shown.

Also, an operation table 25 is arranged in front of the cabinet 2. Theoperation table 25 is arranged to extend forward between the maindisplay 10B and the lower back panel 10C. Plural types of operationbutton 26 are provided on the operation table 25. The operation buttons26 include a BET button, a collect button, a start button, a CASHOUTbutton and the like. A coin insertion slot 27 and a bill insertion slot28 are arranged on the operation table 25. The coin insertion slot 27receives coins which are the gaming media to the cabinet 2. And, thebill insertion slot 28 is used to receive the bills to the cabinet 2.

Further, coins, bills or electronic value (credits) which are equivalentto coins or bills are used as the gaming media in the game system 100(including the slot machine 1) according to the embodiment. However, thegaming media applicable in one or more aspects of the invention are notlimited to coins, bills or electronic value. For example, the gamingmedia may also be medals, tokens, electric moneys, and tickets.

A coin tray 29 is provided at the bottommost of the cabinet 2. The cointray 29 is used to receive the coins paid out by a hopper 64. A lightemitting portion 30 is provided around the cabinet 2 of the slot machine1. The light emitting portion 30 is lighted up in a predeterminedlighting mode when the player wins the game or during the event game.Further, a speaker 31 is provided on the side surface of the cabinet 2.The speaker 31 outputs sound in accordance with the progressing of thegame.

The topper effect device 4 has a rectangular board shape, and isarranged almost parallel to the upper display 10A.

Next, the internal constitution of the game system 100 according to theembodiment will be explained in detail with reference to the drawing.FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the internalconstitution of the game system 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the game system100 includes the server 91. The server 91 controls the entirety of thegame system 100.

The server 91 is constructed from a server CPU 92, a server ROM 93, anda server RAM 94. The server ROM 93 stores necessary control programs forcontrolling the entirety of the game system 100 and the data tables. Forexample, the program for the server base process to be described lateris stored. The server CPU 92 executes the various control programsstored in the server ROM 93.

The server RAM 94 temporarily stores the calculation results and thelike when the various control programs are executed by the server CPU92. A first table and a second table are stored in the server RAM 94.

Plural slot machines 1 are connected to the sever 91. The server 91sends and receives various data with the plural slot machines 1.

The large-size display 95 is connected to the server 91. The displaycontent of the large-size display 95 is controlled by the server 91.

A timer 97 is connected to the sever 91. The server 91 obtains thecurrent time data by referring to the timer 97.

Next, the internal constitution of the slot machine 1 according to theembodiment will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are block diagrams showing the internal constitutionof the slot machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the slot machine 1 includes plural constitutionelements around the main control board 71.

A controller 41 includes a main CPU 42, a ROM 43, a RAM 44. The main CPU42 inputs or outputs signals with other constitution elements via I/Oport 49, and executes the programs stored in the ROM 43. The main CPU 42serves as a control center of the slot machine 1. The RAM 44 storestemporarily the data and the programs when the main CPU 42 runs. Forexample, the RAM 44 temporarily stores the random number value sampledby a sampling circuit 46 to be described later. And the identificationnumber of the slot machine 1 is stored in the ROM 43 or the RAM 44. TheROM 43 stores the programs executed by the main CPU 42 and the permanentdata.

The main control board 71 includes a random number generation circuit45, a sampling circuit 46, a clock pulse generation circuit 47 and afrequency divider 48.

The random number generation circuit 45 operates based on theinstruction of the main CPU 42, and generates a predetermined range ofrandom numbers. The sampling circuit 46 extracts an arbitrary randomnumber from the random numbers generated by the random number generationcircuit 45 based on the instruction of the main CPU 42. The samplingcircuit 46 input the extracted random number to the main CPU 42. Theclock pulse generation circuit 47 generates a basic clock to run themain CPU 42. The frequency divider 48 divides the basic clock in apredetermined frequency, and inputs the divided signals to the main CPU42.

The touch panel 18 is connected to the main control board 71. The touchpanel 18 may specify the coordinate position of the part to which theplayer touches. The touch panel 18 may determine the portion to whichthe player touches based on the specified coordinate positioninformation, and determines the direction to which the touched placemoves. The touch panel 18 inputs the signal corresponding to thedetermination result via the I/O port 49 to the main CPU 42.

The operation button 26 is connected to the main control board 71. Asdescribed above, the operation button 26 includes the start button, thecollect button, the BET button and the like to instruct the execution ofthe game. When each button included in the operation buttons 26 ispressed, the operation signal is input to the main CPU 42 via the I/Oport 49.

A communication interface 68 is connected to the main control board 71.The communication interface 68 is used to receive or send various datawith the sever 91.

The main control board 71 also includes an illumination effect drivingcircuit 61, a hopper driving circuit 63, a payout completion signalcircuit 65 and a display portion driving circuit 67.

The illumination effect driving circuit 61 outputs effect signals to theabove-mentioned light emitting portion 30 and the topper effect device4. And the topper effect device 4 is serially connected to theillumination effect driving circuit 61 through light emitting portions30. When the effect signal is input, the light emitting portions 30 andthe topper effect device 4 emit light in a predetermined light emittingmode. As a result, the slot machine 1 executes light emitting effect inaccordance with the progressing of the game.

The hopper driving circuit 63 drives the hopper 64 based on the controlof the main CPU 42. The hopper 64 executes the payout of coins, andthereby, coins are paid out to the coin tray 29. The display portiondriving circuit 67 executes the display control of various displayportions such as the payout number display portion 19, the credit numberdisplay portion 20 and the like.

A coin detecting portion 66 is connected to the payout completion signalcircuit 65. The coin detecting portion 66 calculates the number of thecoins paid out by the hopper 64. The coin detecting portion 66 inputsthe data of the number of coins which is calculated to the payoutcompletion signal circuit 65. The payout completion signal circuit 65determines whether the predetermined number of coins is paid out or notbased on the data of the number of coins input by the coin detectingportion 66. When the coins with a predetermined number are all paid out,the signal indicating the completion of the coins is input to the mainCPU 42 by the payout completion signal circuit 65.

A sub-control board 72 is connected to the main control board 71. Thesub-control board 72 is formed on a circuit board different from that ofthe main control board 71. The display control of the upper display 10A,the main display 10B and the output control of sound by the speaker 31are executed by the sub-control board 72, based on the commands inputfrom the main control board 71.

As shown in FIG. 7, the sub-control board 72 includes a microcomputer 73(abbreviated as “sub-microcomputer” hereinafter) as a main constitutionelement. The sub-microcomputer 73 includes a sub-CPU 74, a program ROM75, a work RAM 76, an IN port 77 and an OUT port 80. The sub-CPU 74executes the control operations based on the control orders (commands)sent from the main control board 71. The program ROM 75 stores thecontrol programs executed by the sub-CPU 74. The work RAM 76 isconfigured as a temporary storing device when the above control programsare executed by the sub-CPU 74.

The sub-control board 72 executes the random number sampling on therunning program of the sub-CPU 74. As a result, the sub-control board 72may execute the same processes as the processes executed by the clockpulse generation circuit 47, the frequency divider 48, the random numbergeneration circuit 45, and the sampling circuit 46 in the main controlboard 71.

The sub-control board 72 includes a sound source IC 78, a poweramplifier 79 and an image control circuit 81. The sound source IC 78controls the sound output from the speaker 31. The power amplifier 79 isused as an amplifier for the output of the sound. And the image controlcircuit 81 is running as the display control device of the upper display10A and the main display 10B.

The image control circuit 81 includes an image control CPU 82, an imagecontrol work RAM 83, an image control program ROM 84, an image ROM 86, avideo RAM 87 and an image control IC 88. The image control CPU 82determines the images displayed on the upper display 10A and the maindisplay 10B based on the parameters set by the sub-microcomputer 73 andthe image control programs.

The image control programs regarding to the display of the upper display10A and the main display 10B and a variety of the selection tables arestored in the image control program ROM 84. The image control work RAM83 serves as a temporary storing device when the image control programsare executed by the image control CPU 82. IN port 85 is connected to theOUT port 80. Images corresponding to the content determined by the imagecontrol CPU 82 are formed by the image control IC 88, and are output tothe upper display 10A and the main display 10B. The dot data used toform images are stored in the image ROM 86. The video RAM 87 serves as atemporary storing device when the images are formed by the image controlIC 88.

Next, the main control process executed in slot machine 1 according tothe embodiment will be explained with reference to the drawing. FIG. 8is a flowchart of the main control process. The programs for executingthe main control process are stored in the ROM 43 of the slot machine 1,and are executed by the main CPU 42.

When the power switch is ON (the power is turned ON), the main controlboard 71 and the sub-control board 72 are activated respectively, thecontroller 41 executes the verification read process of S1. In theverification read process S1, the main CPU 42 executes the BIOS storedin the ROM 43, and extracts the compressed data incorporated in the BIOSto the RAM 44. And once the BIOS extracted in the RAM 44 is executed,diagnosis of the variety of peripheral devices and initialization areexecuted by the main CPU 42. Further, the CPU 42 writes the gameprograms from the ROM 43 to the RAM 44. And also the CPU 42 executes thecertification process to each program during the execution of theinitial setting process.

In S2, the game program and the like are read out from the RAM 44 insequence and are executed so as to progress the main game process. Thegame in the slot machine 1 according to the embodiment is progressed bythe execution of the main game process. And the main game process isrepeated to be executed during the power of the slot machine 1 issupplied. The detail of the main game process will be described later.

Next, the winning probability renewing process executed in the slotmachine 1 of the embodiment will be described in detail with referenceto the drawing. The winning probability renewing process is executedparallel to the above-mentioned main game process. FIG. 9 is a flowchartof the winning probability renewing process. The programs to execute thewinning probability renewing process are stored in the ROM 43 of theslot machine 1 and are executed by the main CPU 42.

In S11, it is determined whether or not the payout rate is changed.Here, the payout rate is defined as an expectation value of the payoutnumber to the input number of the gaming medium.

For example, in a case where the payout rate is 90%, if input number is“100”, payout number will be “90”.

The payout rate is stored in the RAM 44. The payout rate, for example,may be changed by a predetermined operation of a game hall staff. Alsothe payout rate may be configured to change from day to day. And thepayout rate may be configured to change based on the difference valuebetween the total payout number and the total bet number until now.

If it is determined that the payout rate is not changed (S11: NO), thegame shifts to S13. On the other hand, if it is determined that thepayout rate is changed (S11: YES), the game proceeds to S12. Here, whenthe slot machine is newly installed, it is determined that the payoutrate is changed.

In S12, the payout rate information is sent to the server 91. The payoutrate information includes ID (identification number) and the changedpayout rate of the slot machine.

In S13, it is determined whether or not the winning probabilityinformation is received from the server 91. The winning probabilityinformation includes new winning probability. If it is determined thatthe winning probability information is not received from the server 91(S13: NO), the game returns to S11. On the other hand, if it isdetermined that winning probability information is received from theserver 91 (S13: YES), the game proceeds to S14.

In S14, the winning probability stored in the RAM 44 is renewed to thewinning probability included in the received winning probabilityinformation. The winning probability stored in the RAM 44 will bereferred by the main game process to be described later.

In the winning probability renewing process, the winning probability ofbonus may be renewed each time the payout rate of the slot machine 1 ischanged.

Next, the main game process will be described in detail with referenceto the drawing. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the main game process.

In S21, the start acceptance process is executed. In the startacceptance process, after the predetermined initial setting is executed,the setting of the bet number and the like are executed. And the inputof coins is executed by the player from the coin insertion slot 27. Thebet operation using the operation button 26 is also executed. The numberof the coins inserted from the coin insertion slot 27 or the betoperation using the operation button 26 is detected respectively.

In S22, it is determined whether or not the start button is operated.That is, it is determined whether or not the start button is ON. Thedetermination whether the start button is operated is executed based onwhether the input signal is received from the start switch or not.

If it is determined that the start button is not operated (S22: NO), thegame returns to the start reception process. The operation such ascorrection of the bet number is possible at this time. On the otherhand, if it is determined that the start button is operated (S22: YES),the bet number which is set is deducted from the credits owned by theplayer, and the subtraction result is stored in the RAM 44 as thebetting information. And then the game proceeds to S23.

In S23, the base game is progressed. In the base game, for example, thesymbol rows are variably displayed on the symbol display portion, andthen the symbol rows are stopped and displayed. Awards are providedbased on the symbol combination of the symbols stopped and displayed. Asthe base game, various well-known games may be executed. And apredetermined award may be provided based on the game result. And thenthe game proceeds to S24.

In S24, the winning probability is obtained. At this time, the RAM 44 isreferred.

In S25, the lottery of bonus is executed based on the obtained winningprobability.

In S26, it is determined whether the bonus is won or not. If it isdetermined that the bonus is not won (S26: NO), the main game process isterminated. If it is determined that the bonus is won (S26: YES), thegame proceeds to S27.

In S27, the payout process is executed. In the payout process, apredetermined number of gaming medium is paid out. Also the payoutnumber of the gaming medium may be set appropriately.

Next, the server base process executed in the server 91 will bedescribed. FIG. 1 is a flowchart of the server base process. Theprograms to execute the server base process are stored in the server ROM93 of the server 91, and are executed by the server CPU 92.

In S31, it is determined whether or not the payout rate information isreceived from any of the slot machines 1. If it is determined that thepayout rate information is not received from any of the slot machines 1(S31: NO), the game returns to S31. In other words, the process willwait at S31 until the payout rate information is received from any ofthe slot machines 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the payout rate informationis received from any of the slot machines 1 (S31: YES), the gameproceeds to S32.

In S32, the first table is renewed.

The renewal of the first table will be described below.

FIG. 11 shows one example of the first table. In FIG. 11, the slotmachine having ID “0001”, the slot machine having ID “0002”, the slotmachine having ID “0003”, and the slot machine having ID “0004” areconnected to the server 91. The payout rate in each slot machine is 85%,95%, 90% and 80% respectively. Further, the winning probability of bonusin each slot machine is 0.015%, 0.005%, 0.010% and 0.020%.

Here, in the slot machine 1, bonus may mean that to obtain predeterminedamount of gaming media by extracting a random number value in apredetermined winning range (for example, 0 to 9) by lottery from apredetermined random number range (for example, 0 to 99999), to obtainpredetermined amount of gaming medium by displaying a predeterminedsymbol combination is displayed on the main display 10B, or the like.The winning probability of the bonus can be changed by changing thewinning range or by changing a probability of appearance of thepredetermined symbol combination.

As shown in FIG. 11, the winning probability of bonus is set to be lowerwhen the payout rate is higher. As the payout rate is higher, as theprobability of the occurrence of the bonus is lower.

Further, the corresponding relationship between the payout rate and thewinning probability of bonus shown in FIG. 11 is only one of theexamples.

The corresponding relationship between the payout rate and the winningprobability of bonus in the first table is defined by the second table.

FIG. 12 shows one of the examples of the second table. In FIG. 12, itshows that when the payout rate is below 80%, the winning probability ofbonus is 0.025%, when the payout rate is 80% or more but below 85%, thewinning probability of bonus is 0.020%, when the payout rate is 85% ormore but below 90%, the winning probability of bonus is 0.015%, when thepayout rate is 90% or more but below 95%, the winning probability ofbonus is 0.010%, when the payout rate is 95% or more, the winningprobability of bonus is 0.005%. As shown in FIG. 12, the winningprobability of bonus is set to be lower when the payout rate is higher.Further, the corresponding relationship between the payout rate and thewinning probability of bonus shown in FIG. 12 is only one example.

The first table is renewed based on the received payout rate informationand the second table. For example, when the payout rate informationincluding the information “payout rate: 92%” is received from the slotmachine 1 having ID “0002”, since “92%” is in the range “90% or more butbelow 95%”, the winning probability of bonus for the slot machine 1having ID “0002” becomes “0.010%”. As a result, in the first table, thewinning probability of bonus for the slot machine 1 having ID “0002” isrenewed to “0.010%”.

FIG. 13 shows the content of the first table after renewal.

Now the description will be returned to FIG. 1.

In S33, the winning probability information is sent to the slot machine1 which sent the payout rate information in S31 based on the renewedfirst table. The new winning probability is included in the winningprobability information. In above FIG. 13, the winning probabilityinformation including “the winning probability: 0.010%” is sent to theslot machine 1 having ID “0002”.

According to the first embodiment described above, the slot machine 1sends the payout rate information to the server 91 when the payout rateis changed. The server 91 renews the first table when the payout rateinformation is received from any of the lot machine 1. Here, in thefirst table, the payout rate of each slot machine 1 is corresponding tothe winning probability of bonus. And based on the content of therenewed first table, the winning probability information is sent to theslot machine 1 which sends the payout rate information. And after theslot machine 1 receives the winning probability information, the winningprobability of bonus is renewed based on the winning probabilityinformation, and the lottery of bonus is executed based on the renewedwinning probability of bonus.

As a result, the entertainment aspect is enhanced it can attract toplayers. Also, the gaming time at each slot machine may be lengthened.

Further, the winning probability of bonus may be controlled by changingthe payout rate.

Second Embodiment

Next, the second embodiment embodying one or more aspects of theinvention is described with reference to the drawings. Since the maincontrol process executed in the slot machine 1, the winning informationrenewing process, the main game process are the same as those in thefirst embodiment, description regarding to these processes will beomitted here.

Next, server base process in the second embodiment will be explainedwith reference to the drawing. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the server baseprocess. In the second embodiment, the winning probability of bonus ineach slot machine 1 is renewed based on the renewal of the first tablewhen the second table is renewed.

In S41, it is determined whether or not the payout rate information isreceived from any of the slot machines 1. If it is determined that thepayout rate information is not received from any of the slot machines 1(S41: NO), the game shifts to S44.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the payout rate informationis received from any of the slot machines 1 (S41: YES), the gameproceeds to S42. In S42, the first table is renewed. The renewingprocess of the first table in S42 is the same as the process in S32 ofthe above first embodiment (see FIG. 1), therefore, the description willbe omitted here.

In S43, the winning probability information is sent to the slot machine1 which sends the payout rate information in S41 based on the renewedfirst table.

In S44, it is determined whether the second table is renewed or not. Thesecond table is renewed when the staff in the game hall makes apredetermined operation. The second table may be configured to renewautomatically when it comes a predetermined time. The winningprobability of bonus in each slot machine 1 may be adjusted inaccordance with the date and time based on the renewal of the secondtable at the predetermined time.

Also the second table may be configured to be renewed automatically whenthe predetermined condition is satisfied.

If it is determined that the second table is not renewed (S44: NO), thegame returns to S41. On the other hand, if it is determined that thesecond table is renewed (S44: YES), the game proceeds to S45.

In S45, the first table is renewed.

The renewal of the first table will be described below.

FIG. 15 is one of the examples showing the content of the second tableafter renewal. As shown in FIG. 15, the winning probability of bonus ineach payout rate is renewed to be doubled compared to the content of thesecond table shown in FIG. 12.

Here, when the payout rate in each slot machine is the value as shown inFIG. 13, the winning probability in the slot machine 1 having ID “0001”is changed to 0.030%, the winning probability in the slot machine 1having ID “0002” is changed to 0.020%, the winning probability in theslot machine 1 having ID “0003” is changed to 0.020%, the winningprobability in the slot machine 1 having ID “0004” is changed to 0.040%.

FIG. 16 shows the content of the first table after renewal.

Now the description will be returned to FIG. 14.

In S46, the winning probability information is sent to each slot machine1 based on the renewed first table. The new winning probability isincluded in the winning probability information. As shown in FIG. 15,the winning probability information including “winning probability:0.030%” is sent to the slot machine 1 having ID “0001”, the winningprobability information including “winning probability: 0.020%” is sentto the slot machine 1 having ID “0002”, the winning probabilityinformation including “winning probability: 0.020%” is sent to the slotmachine 1 having ID “0003”, the winning probability informationincluding “winning probability: 0.040%” is sent to the slot machine 1having ID “0004”. And, in each slot machine 1, the winning probabilityof bonus is renewed based on the received winning probabilityinformation. Also, the lottery of bonus is executed based on the renewedwinning probability of bonus.

According to the second embodiment described above, the slot machine 1sends the payout rate information to the server 91 when the payout rateis changed. The server 91 renews the first table when the payout rateinformation is received from any of the slot machine 1. Here, in thefirst table, the payout rate of each slot machine is corresponding tothe winning probability of bonus, and the corresponding relationship isdefined in the second table. And based on the content of the renewedfirst table, the winning probability information is sent to the slotmachine 1 which sends the payout rate information. And after the slotmachine 1 receives the winning probability information, the winningprobability of bonus is renewed based on the winning probabilityinformation, and the lottery of bonus is executed based on the renewedwinning probability of bonus. When the second table is renewed, thefirst table is also renewed. And the winning probability information issent to each slot machine 1 based on the content of the renewed firsttable.

As a result, the entertainment character of the game is enhanced so asto attract players. Also, the gaming time at each slot machine may belengthened.

Further, the winning probability of bonus may be controlled by changingthe payout rate. Also the winning probability of bonus in each slotmachine 1 may be controlled by renewing the second table in the server91 side.

Here, aspects of the invention are not limited to the above embodimentand various changes and modification can be done within the scope of theinvention.

For example, one or more aspects of the invention may also be applied tothe game system with link progressive bonus. In this case, the gamesystem may be configured to accumulatively adding up a part of the betnumber in each slot machine, and the accumulatively added number may bepaid out to the slot machine which wins the bonus.

The game system may be configured to execute a free game when apredetermined condition is satisfied during the main game process.

One or more aspects of the invention may be applied as a gaming methodto execute the above process. Further, one or more aspects of theinvention may be applied to the program for executing the gaming methodby computer, or may be applied as record medium in which the program isrecorded.

1. A game system comprising: gaming machines; and a server connected tothe gaming machines; wherein the server is programmed to: (a) obtain apayout rate from one of the gaming machines, (b) determine a winningprobability of a bonus in the one of the gaming machines based on theobtained payout rate, and (c) send the determined winning probability ofthe bonus to the one of the gaming machines, the gaming machine isprogrammed to: (d) determine whether or not the bonus is won based onthe received winning probability of the bonus, and (e) provide apredetermined number of gaming medium when the bonus is won.
 2. The gamesystem according to claim 1, wherein as the payout rate is higher, thewinning probability of the bonus is lower.
 3. The game system accordingto claim 1, wherein the winning probability of the bonus is adjustedbased on a time.
 4. A server connected to gaming machines, wherein theserver is programmed to: (a) obtain a payout rate from one of the gamingmachines, (b) determine a winning probability of a bonus in the one ofthe gaming machines based on the obtained payout rate, and (c) send thedetermined winning probability of the bonus to the one of the gamingmachines.
 5. The server according to claim 4, wherein as the payout rateis higher, the winning probability of the bonus is lower.
 6. The serveraccording to claim 1, wherein the winning probability of the bonus isadjusted based on a time.
 7. A gaming machine connected to a server,wherein the gaming machine is programmed to: (a) send a payout rate, (b)receive a winning probability of a bonus, (c) determine whether or notthe bonus is won based on the received winning probability of the bonus,and (d) provide a predetermined number of gaming medium when the bonusis won.